I had the best time of my life in these Japanese cities (no, not Tokyo)

For me, my stand-out food experience was at the hotel’s signature restaurant, AZEKURA. It offers three different styles of Japanese cuisine, Teppanyaki, Sushi and Kaiseki. Each style has a separate dining area to ensure guests have an authentic Japanese dining experience. We were sitting only a couple of feet away from the teppan, where the head chef would toss and turn all of the wonderful ingredients right in front of us, the flavours filled the room and bright amber flames reached for the ceiling.

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AZEKURA

Christopher Cypert Image may contain Urban Chair Furniture Indoors Desk Table Lamp Architecture Building Lounge Home Decor and Rug

AZEKURA

Christopher Cypert

You cannot visit Japan without experiencing authentic teppanyaki dining, never have I ever roared and clapped my way through a meal so much, it was by far the best performative dining experience I’ve ever had. We ate delicious grilled seabream, sauteed Ise lobster and Japanese Kuroge beef, each dish carefully paired with local sake. I genuinely didn’t want this meal to end.

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CHELSEA HUGHES

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CHELSEA HUGHES

I’ve become quite a fan of Japanese sake, it’s a lovely alternative to champagne or wine with dinner. Each bar has an extensive selection of Japanese sakes, whiskeys and gin. One of my favourite gins was Kikka Gin, brewed at a local family distillery Yamato Distillery. It’s special because it has a mellow taste of yamato tachibana, a zesty citrus fruit. It’s considered to be the oldest citrus plant in Japan, over 2000 years old.

My thoughts overall?

Japan’s renowned cleanliness and organisation are evident in both Osaka and Nara, making every exploration seamless and stress-free. I was super surprised by the cost of everything in Japan. I assumed meals, drinks, and shopping all to be super expensive, but, due to the Japanese Yen being weak at the moment – it was much more reasonable than expected. Now is a very good time to visit.

My journey through these two Japanese cities was nothing short of magical, I quite literally kept zooming out on google maps like “Oh shit, I’m really in Japan”. While Osaka’s vibrant energy and bustling streets captivate, Nara, often overshadowed by its bustling neighbours, holds its charm waiting to be discovered.

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Osaka and Nara complement each other perfectly, offering a diverse yet harmonious blend of Japanese experiences. While Osaka dazzles with its modernity and authentic street food, Nara whispers tales of ancient traditions and natural wonders. Together, they paint a complete picture of Japan’s multifaceted allure, leaving travellers (myself included) enriched and enchanted. So whenever you plan your Japanese adventure, don’t overlook the serene beauty of Nara – it’s a captivating corner waiting to be uncovered, and a perfect companion to the vibrant spirit of Osaka.